Fuel-injection engine



NOV. 13, 1928.

A. C. PETERSON FUEL INJECTION ENGINE Filed Feb. 21, 1925 2 Sheets-SheetII n v A. C. PETERSON FUEL INJECTION ENGINE Nav. 13, 1928.

Filed Feb. 21, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WVHMH 7 I? 0 Patented Nov. 13,1928.

UNITED" STATES PATENT OFFICE.

' ADOLPHE G. PETERSON, F MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

QfiUEL-IZNJECTIQN ENGINE. I Application filed February 21, 1923. SerialNo. 620,529.

My invention relates to internal combustion engines and particularly toan improved system employing injection wherefore it is operation andefiicien'cy in both the smaller and larger types. In general the objectis to provide an improved injected tuel engiine having increasedefiicien'cy and utilization.'- l

The principal devices and combinations of devices comprising myinvention are as hereinafter described and defined in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate my invention, likecharacters refer tolike parts throughout the several views.

Referring -t0',the drawings: I Figure 1 is a. view chiefly in verticalcross section on the linzlU-X of Figure 2. some parts being shown infull. side elevation and some parts being broken away.

Figure 2 isa view in vertical GIOiS section at right angles to that ofFigure L'this view being on the line X -X of, Figure 1. some parts beingbroken away and some parts p being shown in full side elevation.

Flgure 8. is a vlew 1n protractl on'ot' the face ofthe distributor shownin Figures 1 4 shaft 6 rotatably mounted in hearings in the crank case.The crank case 1 has a contral wall 7 dividing the crank case intocompartments related to each cylinder and each compartment has related a.port controlled by an automatic flap valve'8 whereby atmospheric airmay freely enter the relatedcrank compartment during ascending strokesof the related piston and the air 1s prevented from return to theatmosphere. Each crank compartment has related air ports in thecylindercasting each to inlet ports 9 in the side wall of the'related--cylinder the inlet ports being at such a height in the cylinder :wallthat the inlet ports are just uncoveredat the lower extreme limit ofstroke .of the related piston. Each cylinder has also exhaust ports lOlocated in the side walls of the cylinder immediately above the inletports Q'whereby these exhaustports are uncovered just before the pistonuncoverc the inlet ports and. these exhaust ports have free delivery tothe atmosphere.

The cylinder head casting 3 has formed delivering through relatedpassages nessuro with it integ'rallyone for each cylinder c0m-:

bust-ion chambers 11 which severally'have a. circular and somewhatannular form and have each an opening or port 12 providin relativelyfree communicationwith the cy 'inder bore related. Each of thecombustion chambers 11 have vertical vanes 13 located in a circle aboutthe axial center of the combustion chamber these vanes being of suchashape and all having such a uniformly extending direction related tothe circular positionof the set that they will collectively inducecircular movement or rotation in the extremeannular portion of thecombustion chamber of any gases passing from the cen tral pbrtion oi thecombustion chamber ra- .dially outward to the outward'portions of thecombustion chamber. chamber has attached to its upper face or uper wallin its exact center a nozzle cylinder body 14: which has inserted in itslower end a nozzle 15 adapted to deliver through a fine central aperture16to the" center of the related combustion chamber. and which has alsoreciprocably' mounted within it-to be Each combustion adapted toreciprocate vertically a needle piston 17 which bears at its lower. sidea related nozzle needle 18. The nozzle cylinder body .14 is closed atits upper end by a cap 19. Each'nozzle cylinder body l has delivery orcommunication from its interior bore by two conduits one 20 havingcommunicat-ion with the portion of the bore above the needle piston 17and one 21 having communication with the portion of the bore below theneedle piston 17. The conduit-s20 and bodies 14 communicate at theirother ends i dividually with the interior of a distributor casing 22 orthe isolated spaces therein 21 of all the nozzle cylinder as hereinafterdescribed and as controlled by a rotatable distributor 23 which isrotated communication during greatest portion of the revolution with thethrough its axle rod 24 and gears 2526 by the crank shaft 6 at a speedthe same as that of the crank shaft, and is movable vertically in thedirection of its axis by means of manually controlled screwable sleeve27 providing location axially of the axle, rod 24 by means of thecollars 2829.

The rotatable distributor 23 has two radial lesser portion with theremaining space 34 of the interior of the distributor casing 22 and sothat at corresponding portions of the revolution the lower conduits 21will have substantially the space 34 and during the lesser portion ofthe revolution with the interior channel 32.

The conduits 20 and 21 related to one cylinder have their communicationat the lesser periods simultaneously so that the inversion ofthecommunication is simultaneous as to one cylinder and'the communicationis reversed. as to the conduits of one cylinder at t such timed periodsrelative to the crank shaft movement that the reversal occurs in or asto each cylinder at the'time when the related piston is passing throughits extreme upper stroke, and the timed periods of the reversal movementmay occur as to each. cylinder during a period determined as to itsrelative length by the relative vertical location of the distributor bythe manual control sleeve 27 Sincethe upper portion of eachnozzle'cylinder bore is normally connected with the interior channel 32 whch ashereinafter described is the highpressure' side of the fuel system andthe lower portion of the nozzle cylinder bore is normally connected withthe lower pressure side of the fuel system, the needle pistons in eachnozzle cylinder bore will'normallybe closely depressed with the relatedneedle against the seat in the nozzle but at the reversal periods as toeach cylinder the pressures in the related nozzle cylinder bore will'bereversed and the needle piston with its needle then quickly moved upwardwhereby the aperture 16 related will be uncovered and fuel released fromthe nozzle cylinder bore at the lower side into the related cylinder.The pressures at the moment of reversal in each nozzle cylinder bore atthe lower side of the needle piston will be "that of the high pressureside of the system and this will be uniformly sustained'by a pair offuel pumps 35 and 36', operated by the crank shaft and reciprocating ina pump casing 37 the pump 35 being adapted to pump fuel from the space34 of the distributor casing and the fuel pump 36 being adapted to pumpfuel-from a supply conduit 38, each of the pumps delivering into achan-' nel 39 which has communication with a'diaphram casing bore40 andhas also communi- I cation through conduits and passages 41 4243 withthe interior channel 32 whereby fuel -pumped from the space '34 and fuelpumped from the supply conduit 38 are cont'nuously delivered to theinterior channel 32, the pressure of delivery of the fuel being howevercontrolled by a needle valve 44 normally held seated against a by-pass45 bypassing the fuel back to the'supply conduit 38 by a diaphragm 46and spring 47 which is regulable by a manual screw 48. The d1s-' trib?-or casing has in its side wall a by-pass' 1 49 wh ereby the interiorchannel 32 will be by-passed to the space 34 for neutral or inactiveoperation when the distributor 1s moved to its lowermost position by themanual'control sleeve.

Each piston 4 has upon its'upper piston head anattached or lntegrallyconstructed deflector extension 50-whereby the air from the inlet portswill at its entry be deflected upward. I

Each combustion chamber ll hasinserted in its wall a spark plug or otherignition device 51 whereby electrical ignition for starting or otherwiseas desired may be provided.

In the operat on of my engine the engine crank shaft is given itsinitial revolution by any of the means commonly employed for suchpurpose and after such initial revolution takes up its regular cycleeach cylinder having an induction of fresh air from the related crankchamber as compressed therein in the commonly used two cycle form at themoment of uncovering of the inlet ports and the inducted air charge'isthen compressed in the cylinder and the distributor at the period ofapproximately maximum compression in the cylinder reverses the fuelpressures in the related conduits 2021 and the fuel released from thefuel pressure system into the combustion chamber 11, the fuel being bythe high pressure sprayed in a fine spray into the central portion ofthe combustion chamber 11 and from thence carried by the enteringairunder compression from the cylinder bore into the annular por- IOUwhereby the needle pistonv related is lifted tion of the combustionchamber 11 and divrected in such movement in a uniformly directedrotational movement about the annular portfon whereby great turbulenceand admixture of the fuel charge with the air charge and a hastenedcombustion is secured. The fuel injection is for this purpose preferablytimed to take place a trifle before the maximum compression and mayextend pletion of the fuel combustion.

througlnthis maximum compression period as determined by theconstruction. It is to.

cylinder will occur from a uniformly ma1ntained pressure supply of fuelthus providing uniform injection ,to each cyl nder; While I have shown aparticularform of "distributing means for the fuel system or reversalmeans, and a particular pump means I contemplate that any form of suchdistributor means may be employed and that any form of means maintainingthe high pressure side of the system at a somewhat higher pressure thanthe lower pressure side I may be used and that any means for providing asupply of fuel under pressure to the system may beused and sustainingthe pressure at a substantially uniform degree and that any form ofcontrolling the pressure may be used and .any form of varying the lengthof-the reversal period may be.

employed. The pump system and distribu- -tor may .be constructed in anintegral body for simplicity of construction. It is to benoted. that,the fuel pressure on the high pressure side would preferably be-maintained at say a pressure of some eight hundred or a thousand ormore'pounds and that the pressure on the low pressure side wouldpreferably be maintained at a pressure only a comparatively fewpoundsless say a hundred or less pounds under that of the higher pressure sidewhereby less tendency to leakage between the pressure sides would occur,although it is to be noted that such leakage is not an important factorin the operation as the fuel injection pressures are uniform, thepressure difference between the sides being essentially only'such thatthe nesessary prompt or immediate action of the needle pistons issecured.

VVhile- I have shown particular detailed means and combinations in theillustration of my invention I contemplate that any detailed means orcombinations may be used 1 in the i"ealization of my invention withoutdeparting from the. spirit and intention thereof.

It is to be noted here that each set of conduits comprising an upperhigh pressure and the lower pressure conduit may control one or morenozzles as where there may be used several nozzles to one large cylinderor where several cylinders are timed to have combustion simultaneously.

What I claim is 1'. A valve actuating apparatus comprising a fluiddistributor and a plurality of valve pistons in valve piston casings,means whereby the fluid distributor may cause reversal of pressures onthe opposite sides of j the "valve. pistons,periodically, and meanswhereby the reversal of a piston causes a change in the release of fluidto a related ,cylinder chamber.

. 2; A Lvalve actuatincr apparatus comprising a plurality of va vepistons in valve piston casings, a fluid distributor having highpressure chamber and low pressure chamber and means causing the highpres sure fluid of the high pressurechamber to be effective upon oneside of a piston and the low upon the other side during a normal periodand whereby the fluid. distributor causes reversal of the fluidpressures upon the piston sides during a fluid releasing period andmeans whereby the fluid 15 released to a related cylinder chamber duringthe fluid releasing period.

3. In an internal combustion engine, cylinders and cooperating pistons,a valve piston in a valve casing related to eachcylinder, a fluiddistributor having high pressure cham-- ber and low pressure chamber andmeans causing the high pressure fluid of'the high -,pressure chamber tobe effective upon one side of a valve piston'and the low upon the otherside of the valve piston during a normal period and whereby the fluiddistributor causes reversal of the'fluid pressures upon the valve pistonsides during a fluid releasing periodand means whereby the fluidisreleased to a related cylinder chamber during the fluid releasingperiod.

4. In an internal combustion engine, an engine cylinder and cooperatingpiston, a valve piston reciproca'ble in a valve casing,

a source of fluid fuel underhigh pressure, in 1 combination withmeanstimed in relation to the operation of. the cooperating pistonwhereby the high pressure fluidfuel is pe riodically effective on oneside of the valve piston and at alternative periods on the other side ofthe valve piston, and means whereby at each period when the high pressure fluid fuel is effective on a particular side of the valve piston.fluid fuel'will be released to the engine cylinder.

' 5. 'In an internal combustion engine, an

engine cylinder and a cooperating piston, a valve piston reciprocable ina valve casing, a source of fluid fuel under high pressure, incombination with means timed in relation 'with the operation of thecooperating piston whereby periodically high pressure fluid fuel isefitective' on one side of thevalve piston and at alternative periods onthe other side of the valve piston, a'valve adapted tobe actuated by thevalve pistonand controll ng a port of communication with the enginecylinder whereby at each period when the high pressure fluid fuel iselfective on a particular side of the valve piston, fuel from the highpressure fluid fuel source will be released to the engine cylinder.

6. In an engine, an engine combustion chamber and a cooperating motorelement, a-

[valve piston reciprocable in a valve casing, a

source of fluid fuel under high pressure, in

. combination with means timed in relation with the operation ofthefcycle of combustion whereby periodically thehigh pressure fluid fuelis effective on oneside of the valve piston and at alternative periodson the other side of the valve piston, and means whereby at each periodwhen the high pressure fluid fuel iseifective on a particular side ofthe valve piston, fluid fuel will be released.

to the combustion chamber.

7.. In an internal combustion engine, engine cylinders and-cooperatingpistons, a

valve piston reciprocable in a valve casing related to each enginecylinder, a source of fluid fuel under high pressure, in combinationwith means timed in. relation to the actuation of the cooperatingpistons whereby the high pressure fluid fuel is periodically effectiveon one side of each valve piston in timed relation to the actuation ofthe related cooperating piston and at alternative periods on the otherside of the respective valve piston, and means whereby at each periodwhen the high pressure fuel is effective on a particular side of thevalve pislou, fuel is released to the related engine cylinder. 8. In aninternal combustion engine, en-.

gine cylinders-and. cooperating pistons, a valve piston reciprocable ina valve casing related to each engine cylinder, a source of fluid fuelunder high pressure in combination with means timed in relation to theactuation of the cooperating pistons whereby the liigh, pressure fluidfuel is periodically effective on one side of each valve piston in timedrelation to the actuation of the related cooperating piston, and atalternative periods on the other side of the respective valve piston andmeans whereby a valve is adapted to be actuated by each valve piston andcontrolling a port of communication with the engine cylinder wherebyateach period when high pressure fluid fuel isefl'ective on a partioular side of a valve piston, fluid fuel from the high pressure fluid"fuel source will released to an engine "cylinder.

9. In an internal. combustion engine, en

gine cylinders and cooperating pistons, a

conduit system wherein fluid fuel is maintained at high pressure and aconduit system wherein fluid fuel is maintained at low pressure, incombination with a valve p1ston related to each cylinder controlling arelated port of delivery to the engine cylinder whereby when the valvepiston is moved by high pressure fluid fuel on a particular side fuel isreleased to the engine cylinder and means whereby the high pressurefluid ahd the lowpressure fluid are effective on opposite sides of thevalve piston of each cylinder and whereby there is periodiereversal ofthe fluid systems on the valve piston of each cylinder in timed relationto the actuation of the cooperating piston of the cylinder.

I 10. In an internal combustion engine, an engine cylinder andcooperating piston, a conduit system wherein fluid fuel is maintained athigh pressure and a conduit system wherein fluid fuel is maintained at alesser pressure in combination with a valve piston adapted to control aport of delivery from the space on one side of the valve piston to theengine cylinder and means whereby the high pressure fluidand the lowpressure fluid fuel are effective on opposite "sides of the valve pistonand whereby there is periodic reversal of the fluid systems on the'valvepiston in timed relation to the actuation of the cooperating piston.

11. An engine cylinder and a cooperating common valve means forreversing the coinmunicationof the high and low pressure conduits witheach port -of fuel delivery periodically in timed relation with theoperation of the related cooperating piston. 1

13. Engine cylinders and cooperating pistons, ports, of fuel deliveryone related to each cylinder, a fuel conduit wherein liquid fuel ismaintained under high pressure and a fuel conduit wherein liquid fuel ismaintained at a lesser pressure, and a rotatable v valve means actuablein timed relation with the cooperating pistons and operating toperiodically reverse the communication of the high and low pressureconduits with the ports of fuel delivery, the reversals occurring as toeach port of fuel delivery in timed relation with the cooperatingpiston.

14. In an internal combustion engine, combustion chambers, and acooperatlng motor element, valve piston chambers each having acooperating reciprocable valve piston, nozzles related one to'each valvepiston chamber and delivering to a related combustion chamber, a highpressure liquid fuel supply and a low pressure liquid fuel supply, adistributing means providing means connecting the high pressure liquidfuel supply with one side of each valve piston chamber and the lowpressure liquid fuel supply with the other side of each valve pistonchamber and providing means for periodically reversing the connectionswith each valve piston chamber in timed" rela tion, and means wherebyeachvalve pistoir during its reversal period permits emission of liquidfuel from the valve piston chamber through its nozzle to its relatedcombustion chamber.

15. In an internal combustion engine,

combustion chamber and a cooperating motor element, valve pistonchambers each havmg a cooperating reclprocable valve piston,

nozzles related one to each valve piston chamber and delivering to arelated combustion chamber, a high pressure liquid fuel supply and a lowpressure liquid fuel supply, a distributing means providing meansconnecting the high pressure liquid fuel supply with one side'of eachvalve piston chamber and the low'pressure liquid fuel supply with theother side of each valve piston chamber and providing means forperiodically reversing the connections with each valve piston chamber intimed relation, and means whereby each valve piston during its reversalperiod permits emission of liquid fuel from-the valve piston chamberthrough its nozzle to its related combustion chamber, and means wherebythe relative length of the reversal period of each valve piston may beenlarged or din'iinishcd.

16. In an internal combustion engine, combustion chambers andcooperating pistons, valve piston chambers each having a cooperatingreciprocable valve piston, nozzles related one to each valve pistonchamber and delivering to a related combustion chamber, a high pressureliquid fuel supply and a low pressure liquid fuel supply, a distributingmeans; providing means connecting the high pressure liquid fuel supplywith one side of each valve piston chamber and the low pressure liquidfuel suppl with the other side of each valve piston c 113%! andproviding means for periodically reversing the connections with eachvalve piston chamber in

